"STORIES FROM THE KANSAS STATE CAPITOL: THE LOST CORNERSTONE"

A Moment in Time

April 2001, Part 4 of 10

For 84 years, the original cornerstone of the Kansas State Capitol lay buried near the northeast corner of the east wing. It had plunged into the muck and mud of the original foundation which disintegrated during the winter of 1866-1867.

According to news stories of the day, October 7, 1866 was perhaps the most festive day ever in the "little village" of Topeka. Wagons full of people rolled down Kansas Avenue and people filled the hotels to capacity. The feeling was that something enormously important was about to happen and everyone wanted to be a part of this history-making event. "We will do something today that posterity will remember and marvel at," a participant was quoted as saying.

The event was the dedication and laying of the cornerstone to the beautiful new capitol (east wing) which was then, the largest building in the state. The mood was "bright and cheerful." People were dressed "fit to kill" and a "holiday spirit bubbled through the crowded populace."

Most sections of the state were represented by dignitaries from their towns, "Just about everyone who is anyone in Kansas was there" and "Politics were left out in the cold."

The atmosphere was further charged by a huge parade that formed at two o'clock in the afternoon, led by the Topeka Brass Band. Knights Templar, state officers, officers of the United States Court, the village's clergy, the Masonic order, veterans and returned soldiers, the mayor and the city council, merchants and citizens joined in the parade. The streets were left empty as they moved to the east corner of the building.

The three-foot by six-foot cornerstone had been hollowed out to contain a copper box filled with a Bible, the laws of Kansas (1863-1864), reports by state officers, packages from the various state departments, the roll calls of several lodges, cards of Topeka and Kansas businessmen, copies of every newspaper published in the state, coins and stamps, samples of grain, the Associated Press report of the event, a land reform pledge and a piece of sheet music graciously donated by the brass band's piccolo player. Everyone tried to get their name on the faces of the stone. Apparently, most did. Names had been carved "in every available spot." When the original foundation and cornerstone crumbled the following winter, many attributed the fate of the cornerstone to the weakening of the material from all the names that had been carved on it.

The winter was particularly severe and while the foundation stone had been sanctioned for building by the state's finest architects, the elements proved otherwise. The press insinuated political graft had played a part in choosing the "inferior material." What was left of the foundation had to be dug out and replaced with stone from Chase County.

Landscaping was planted in 1870 over the original cornerstone buried beneath the surface and it wasn't until, quite by accident, during the summer of 1950, that the original stone was discovered by workmen who were digging around the foundation.

At 10 o'clock, July 17, 1950, another ceremony was held to investigate the historical documents from within the old copper box. Albert L. Nohe of the J. E. Lardner Cut Stone Company, using a hand chisel and heavy hammer had removed it from the old cornerstone. As the box was ceremoniously opened by dignitaries, including Edgar Langsdorf, state archivist and Kirke Mechem, secretary of the Kansas Historical Society, a swarm of bugs and cockroaches sprang from the box sending people scurrying and stomping. It was reported that a 100 percent kill was made and the investigation of the contents proceeded. Mechem was given the honor of investigating the contents. The paper documents immediately disintegrated in his hands. Only a handful of corroded coins were salvageable. Those that were identifiable to denomination or date of minting were:

"A 25-cent piece bore the date of 1838. A half dollar was dated 1858 and a $5 gold piece was dated 1817. A dime was dated 1853 and a three-cent piece was dated 1855. Portions of "shin plasters" of the Civil war era were in the box. One was for 25 cents, another for 50 cents. Bits of other currency which could not be identified were in the box. There were numerous quarters, half dollars and large size copper pennies as well as several English and Canadian coins."

Nine bottles of Kansas grown grain, a sheepskin cover of a book of state laws with crumbled pages were also found. The rest of the contents were identified only after records of 1866 were used for reference. "All were restored to the box and were replaced in the capitol under direction of the executive council."

Today, a bronze plaque marks the replacement cornerstone and was placed there on October 26, 1950.

To learn more stories about the Kansas State Capitol, join a free guided tour at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. The Capitol is located at 300 W. Tenth Topeka KS 66612; 785-296-3966; www.kshs.org. To reach the Capitol in downtown Topeka take exit 362B I-70 and follow the signs. During the legislative session, January through May, parking is limited.

The Kansas Historical Society does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs. The Society requests prior notification to accommodate individuals with special needs or disabilities.

© Kansas Historical Society 2001